Club WC 25 Semi-Finals Preview
With the the Club WC quarter-finals behind us, it’s time to shift focus to the semi-finals. Chelsea are up against another Brazilian side, Fluminense, while PSG and Real Madrid clash in an all-European fixture. Let’s take a look at both matches!
Fluminense – Chelsea
Metlife Stadium, Tuesday @ 21:00 CET
Fluminense
Results so far:
Group Stage: Fluminense – Borussia Dortmund: 0-0
Group Stage: Fluminense – Ulsan: 4-2
Group Stage: Mamelodi Sundowns – Fluminense: 0-0
Round of 16: Inter – Fluminense: 0-2
Quarter-finals: Fluminense – Al-Hilal: 2-1
One goal from Marcos Leonardo wasn’t enough for Al-Hilal, as M. Martinelli and Hércules sealed a 2-1 win for Fluminense to send them through to the semi-finals of the Club WC. The Brazilian team let Al-Hilal control the possession in the quarter-finals, but two very well-taken goals ensured a spot in the semi-finals against Chelsea. Fluminense ended up runners-up in the tournament (albeit with a different format) in 2023, and now they’re just one win away from the 2025 final.
One of their goalscorers in the quarter-finals, Martinelli, is suspended due to yellow cards, as is Juan Pablo Freytes. Defender Renê is back from his suspension.
This is the first competitive match between the two sides, and the Brazilian side will be hoping to cause another upset here, after having knocked Inter out in the Round of 16.
Chelsea
Results so far:
Group Stage: Chelsea – LAFC: 2-0
Group Stage: Flamengo – Chelsea: 3-1
Group Stage: ES Tunis – Chelsea: 0-3
Round of 16: Benfica – Chelsea: 1-4
Quarter-finals: Palmeiras – Chelsea: 1-2
Maresca can welcome Caicedo back from suspension, but the Chelsea manager will have to manage without Colwill and Delap, who are both suspended due to yellow cards. James and Lavia are both uncertainties due to injury worries.
Chelsea needed extra-time to knock out Benfica in the Round of 16, but they did end up winning the match 4-1 before a late own goal by Palmeiras helped them to a 2-1 win in the quarter-finals. They’re favourites this Tuesday, but they’ll have to be fully focused if they are to go all the way to the final. Cole Palmer is just one of the players that will be key for the London club if they are to go all the way in the tournament, while new signing João Pedro made his debut as a substitute against Palmeiras after signing from Brighton.
PSG – Real Madrid
MetLife Stadium, Wednesday @ 21:00 CET
PSG
Results so far:
Group Stage: PSG – Atlético Madrid: 4-0
Group Stage: PSG – Botafogo: 0-1
Group Stage: Seattle Sounders – PSG: 0-2
Round of 16: PSG – Inter Miami: 4-0
Quarter-finals: PSG – Bayern Munich: 2-0
PSG were pre-match favourites against Bayern Munich, and despite some late drama they won the game 2-0 and qualified for the semi-finals where they will battle it out with Real Madrid for a spot in the final. The CL winners are odds favourites against the Spaniards, and Luis Enrique is hoping to add another big trophy to their cabinet shortly.
PSG has only conceded one goal in this tournament, but if any team can finally break through their defense again, Real Madrid would be a good candidate.
Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez are both unavailable due to suspension.
Real Madrid
Results so far:
Group Stage: Real Madrid – Al-Hilal: 1-1
Group Stage: Real Madrid – Pachuca: 3-1
Group Stage: RB Salzburg – Real Madrid: 0-3
Round of 16: Real Madrid – Juventus: 1-0
Quarter-finals: Real Madrid – Borussia Dortmund: 3-1
Real Madrid would love nothing more than to lift the Club WC trophy, but PSG are in great form, so the Spaniards will have to be at their best to win this semi-final. Alonso’s team were mostly in control in both the Round of 16 match and the quarter-finals, but PSG will be a bigger challenge.
Dean Huijsen will miss this match due to his red card late in the quarter-finals, while the Real Madrid fans are hoping to see Gonzalo Garcia continue where he left off. The striker now has 4 goals in the tournament.
Which teams will make it all the way to the final?
Odds might have changed since the writing and/or publication of this article.
Last Updated: 10.07.2025
